Todd Kercher
Lakeland,FL
Summary
Dynamic General Manager with a proven track record excelling in team management and customer engagement. Expert in inventory control and budgeting, driving significant sales growth while fostering employee retention. Passionate about delivering exceptional dining experiences through strategic marketing and hands-on leadership.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
General Manager
The Wine Garden
Lakeland, FL
01.2025 - Current
- Managed daily restaurant operations and ensured exceptional guest experiences.
- Oversaw staff recruitment, training, and performance evaluation processes.
- Monitored inventory levels and coordinated supply orders for kitchen needs.
- Led marketing initiatives to promote restaurant events and specials.
- Managed all aspects of daily business operations including budgeting, staffing, scheduling, inventory control, customer service and sales.
- Created schedules and monitored payroll to remain within budget.
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through hands-on leadership of associates and managers.
Operations Manager
WACO Kitchen Restaurant
02.2022 - 04.2024
- New Store opening (2nd location) – responsible for vendor setup- training / hiring staff- created systems for premium guest experience- partnered with chamber of commerce- marketing
- Manage optimal guest experience
- Focus on sales year over year increase
- Hire- train & retain the best employees
- Purchasing food, beer & wine
- Marketing plan to attract new guests
- Budgeting labor – forecasting sales trends
- Catering – strong focus on airport grounds business
- Menu development
- COMPANY FOLDED DUE TO OWNER DISPUTE
Culinary Director
Nextlevel Hospitality
03.2021 - 09.2021
- Responsible for all dietary operations/execution
- Cost controls – ordering/labor/menu planning
- Guest survey accountability
Dining Service Director
Brookdale Highlands
07.2014 - 01.2021
- Oversee and manage dining experience
- Budget & forecast per occupancy
- Order all food and supplies
- Hire – train all staff
- Market to prospective residents
- Collaborate with leadership on dining experience
Executive Chef- assistant to Dining Director
Florida Presbyterian Homes
08.2011 - 07.2014
General Manager
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
02.2000 - 01.2011
- Managed a team of 80+ along with 3 assistant managers
- Financial operations including budget preparation, profit & loss statements and invoice reconciliation
- Maintain facilities/ repair & purchases through contractors
- Guest relations / service standards
- Regional test location for new menu items / conduct focus groups
- Inventory management: food and liquor purchasing
- Outside marketing and sales building
- Hiring and development of restaurant staff and management
- Member of Brandon Chamber of Commerce & Lakeland Chamber of Commerce / local networking
- Certified Management training location for Tampa market
Manager
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
11.1997 - 12.1999
- Dinning room operations, guest service
- Financial operations including budget preparation, profit & loss statements and invoice reconciliation
- Hiring all necessary dinning room staff
- Bar operations including food and wine / liquor purchasing, and management of staff
Education
A.S. Degree - Culinary/ Food Service Management
Palm Beach Community College
Lake Worth, FlDale Carnegie - Completion of a 12-week Dale Carnegie course centered on public speaking and relationship building
Skills
- Team Management
- Safe Food Handling
- Inventory control and record keeping
- Customer Engagement
- Payroll Administration
- Purchasing
- Passion for customer satisfaction
- Employee Retention
- Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
- Catering Coordination
Certification
- Serve Safe Certified 2028
- State certification in management
Training
Dale Carnegie, Completion of a 12-week Dale Carnegie course centered on public speaking and relationship building
References
Available upon request
Timeline
General Manager
The Wine Garden
01.2025 - Current
Operations Manager
WACO Kitchen Restaurant
02.2022 - 04.2024
Culinary Director
Nextlevel Hospitality
03.2021 - 09.2021
Dining Service Director
Brookdale Highlands
07.2014 - 01.2021
Executive Chef- assistant to Dining Director
Florida Presbyterian Homes
08.2011 - 07.2014
General Manager
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
02.2000 - 01.2011
Manager
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
11.1997 - 12.1999
A.S. Degree - Culinary/ Food Service Management
Palm Beach Community College